Connector device

ABSTRACT

An adapter for use in connecting a vacuum source with a breast shield is disclosed including a housing with at least one female coupling component formed therein, at least one male coupling component that is adapted to attach to a tube at one end for conveying pressure from the vacuum source, while the other end is sized and shaped to be received in the female coupling component. A passageway extends between the first end and the second end of the male coupling component for conveying the pressure. The female coupling component is defined therein by an interior sidewall that has a channel formed therein open to the female coupling component at least somewhere along the interior sidewall. When the male coupling component is inserted in the female coupling component, a sealing portion of the male coupling component engages the interior sidewall surface. A stopper is provided to effectively permit the use of only one of a pair of female coupling component.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/600,078, filed Jun. 20, 2003, which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/397,439 filed Jul. 19, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is directed generally to breast pump assembliesand, more particularly, to an improved adapter for use within a breastpump assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Breast pump assemblies for extracting or expressing breast milkfrom a woman's breasts for later use to feed by an infant, have beenavailable for years. Typically, these breast pump assemblies include asource of reduced pressure or vacuum, and at least one milking unit,which is includes a funnel-shaped hood, or breast shield, and a storagecontainer. The breast shield is placed over the women's nipple and asubstantial portion of the breast. A reduced pressure or vacuum isintermittently generated in the breast shield in a manner that causesmilk to be expressed from the breast. The milk then typically flows tothe storage container for later use. Although vacuum is what istypically employed in the operation of a breast pump assembly, positivepressure may also be conveyed in desired applications.

[0004] Generally, two types of breast pump assemblies have been marketedfor use by nursing women: manually operated breast pump assemblies; andmotor-driven breast pump assemblies. In manually operated breast pumpassemblies, the intermittent vacuum is typically generated by means of apiston type pump. The piston pump generally includes a piston cylinder,which is connected to the breast shield, and a piston, slidably disposedwithin the piston cylinder. The piston has a hand-drivable piston rodconnected thereto by which a person operating the breast pump assemblycan manually move the piston back and forth within the piston cylinder,thus generating the vacuum. The intermittent vacuum in motor-drivenbreast pump assemblies is typically generated by-a similar piston pump,but the piston pump- is connected to an electrically powered motor driveunit, and the motor drive unit moves the piston back and forth withinthe piston cylinder. There is a breast pump assembly sold by Medela,Inc. under the mark LACTINA®, which has a motor drive unit adapted foroperating a piston pump which could otherwise be used for a manuallyoperated breast pump assembly. An example of this manual, yet alsomotorized breast pump assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,899(“the '899 patent”). The motor drive unit is separate from the breastshield. The vacuum generated when the motor drive unit moves the pistonback and forth within the piston cylinder is transmitted to the breastshield through plastic tubing, which is connected to both the breastshield and the piston pump. The plastic tubing is often connected to thepiston pump and/or the breast shield by use of an adapter. Because ofthe transfer of air throughout the breast pump assembly, the adaptermust provide an airtight seal. Additionally, the user should be able toeasily manipulate the adapter.

[0005] In the type of breast pump assembly disclosed in the '899 patent,where the breast shield can be used in a manual or a motorized mode, thebreast shields and their pumps must be precisely matched in order toprovide a safe and efficiently operating unit. The piston pumps usedwith the '899 patent breast pump assembly are, for example, preciselytuned to the operational function of the breast shield used therewith,as, for instance, concerning the volume of air moved in the cyclicalaction of the pump. Use of a different pump or breast shield canadversely affect the use of the subject breast pump assembly.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a demand for an adapter that provides ameans for precisely matching breast shields and corresponding pumps. Thepresent invention satisfies this demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedadapter for use in a breast pump assembly that not only provides anairtight seal, but also serves as a means to prevent connection ofunmatched and potentially deleterious components.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedfemale coupling component for use in the above-mentioned adapter.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide animproved male coupling component for use in the above-mentioned adapter.

[0010] An additional object of the present invention is to provide anovel method of engaging male and female coupling components of anadapter, which provides an airtight seal and prevents connection ofunmatched and potentially deleterious components.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention provides an adapter foruse in connecting a motor driven piston pump—that is, a fluid pressureor vacuum source with a breast pump assembly. The adapter comprises inpart a cap portion, which sealingly engages a piston cylinder of thepiston pump. The cap portion defines, in part, a vacuum chamber thereinwhich communicates with the interior of the piston cylinder and a lowerwell of the female coupling component, described in more detailhereinafter.

[0012] The adapter further comprises a male coupling component includinga longitudinal axis having a first end and a second end. The malecoupling component can be removably or fixedly attached at its first endto a tube for conveying the fluid pressure from the fluid pressuresource. A passageway extends between the first end and the second endfor further conveying the fluid pressure. A radially outwardly extendingsealing portion is formed on an exterior surface of the male couplingcomponent spaced from the second end.

[0013] The adapter further comprises a female coupling component sizedand shaped for receiving the male coupling component. The femalecoupling component includes upper surfaces and lower surfaces, and a rimsurface. The upper surface and the lower surface are sized and shapedsuch that the female coupling component can receive the male couplingcomponent therein.

[0014] The upper surface of the female coupling component defines anupper well having. a first general diameter. The upper well is sized andshaped to match the size and shape of the radially outwardly extendingsealing portion. When the male coupling component is received in thefemale coupling component, the sealing portion of the male couplingcomponent is received in the upper well. Because the upper well matchesthe size and shape of the radially outwardly extending sealing portion,when the sealing portion of the male coupling component is received inthe upper well, the upper surface engages a sealing surface of thesealing portion to form an airtight seal.

[0015] The lower surface of the female coupling component defines alower well with a second general diameter, which is less than the firstgeneral diameter of the upper well. The lower well is sized and shapedto receive the second end of the male coupling component therein. Thelower well is connected to the upper well by a rim surface. A channel isformed in the lower surface of the female coupling component. Thechannel includes an opening in the rim surface and is open at least atone point along the lower surface. The lower surface also includes aport therein which allows communication between the lower well and thevacuum chamber.

[0016] When the upper surface and the sealing surface of the sealingportion are sealingly engaged, ambient air is prevented from being drawninto the female coupling component, thereby permitting the pump to workat its optimal operating vacuum. When an unmatched male couplingcomponent is used, ambient air is drawn into the upper well and istransmitted into the lower well through the channel, and then throughthe port, into the vacuum chamber, thus preventing the breast pumpassembly from working at its optimal operating vacuum. Therefore, use ofunmatched components can be potentially harmful.

[0017] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be further understood upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of an embodiment of the present invention, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of abreast pump assembly of the kind incorporating the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adapter, in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0020]FIG. 3A is an overhead view of the adapter of FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a second embodiment of anadapter;

[0022]FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 2;

[0023]FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 6A is an overhead perspective of one embodiment of a femalecoupling component, used in accordance with the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 6B is an overhead perspective of a second embodiment of afemale coupling component, used in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0026]FIG. 7 is another overhead perspective of a female couplingcomponent, used in accordance with the present invention, showing aconnector entering the coupling component;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of male couplingcomponents, as used in the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the male coupling componentsof FIG. 8;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another pair of male couplingcomponent, as used in the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the male coupling componentsof FIG. 10;

[0031]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another male coupling component,as used in the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the male coupling componentsof FIG. 12; and

[0033]FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a stopper as used in accordancewith the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a stopper as used in accordancewith the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 14C is a perspective view of a stopper as used in accordancewith the present invention; and

[0036]FIG. 14D is a perspective view of a stopper as used in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0037] FIG. I illustrates, generally, the usage of one embodiment of thepresent invention within a breast pump assembly. One embodiment of abreast pump assembly 20 is shown in FIG. 1, and includes two milkingunits 22 and a motor drive unit 24. Each milking unit 22 includes abreast shield 26 and a container 28, such as a bottle, for collectingand storing the breast milk, which is connected to the lower portion ofthe breast shield 26. The milking units 22 are adapted to be used with apiston pump 30. A piston cylinder 32 of the piston pump 30 isconnectable to the breast shield 26 to operate the milking unit 22 in amanually driven mode (i.e., the piston pump is reciprocated by hand).The piston cylinder 32 can be connected to the breast shield 26directly, or by way of tubes 44 which can be attached to a tubeattaching means (not shown) on the breast shield 26. Details of thistype of breast pump assembly and the piston pump can be gleaned fromU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,929,229 and 4,857,051.

[0038] The motor drive unit 24 is also adapted to receive and hold andto mechanically operate the piston pump 30. The motor drive unit 24 issubstantially as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,899.

[0039] An improved cylinder holder, or adapter 34 of the presentinvention is attachable to the casing 36 of the motor drive unit 24. Thepiston cylinder 32 is received in the adapter 34. A piston 33, having apiston rod 38 extending therefrom, is slidably disposed within thepiston cylinder 32 and the piston rod 38 is releasably held at one endof an arm 40. Arm 40 is mounted at its other end to the casing 36 of themotor drive unit 24 for reciprocal movement of the piston rod 38. Aswill be described in detail below, the adapter 34 includes femalecoupling components 42 (See FIGS. 3A and 3B) for removably connectingtubes 44 to the breast shields 26 of the respective milking units 22,via male coupling components 50 (See FIG. 2).

[0040] In brief, the motor drive unit 24 reciprocally moves the pistonrod 38, thus moving the piston 33 back and forth within the pistoncylinder 32. A rearward stroke of the piston rod 38 and thereby piston33, that is, such that the piston 33 is moved to a position where it ispartially exposed from the cylinder 32, generates a pressure change(usually a negative pressure) that is transmitted through the adapter 34and the tubes 44 to one or both of the milking units 22.

[0041] As seen in FIGS. 2-5, the adapter 34 of the present inventionincludes a cap portion 46 that is match-threaded at 48 for substantiallyairtight attachment to the piston cylinder 32. FIG. 5 shows that theinside of the cap portion 46 of one embodiment of the invention includesa seal ring 47 disposed therein for sealing engagement with the pistoncylinder 32. The cap portion 46, defines in part, a vacuum chamber 52that communicates with the interior of the piston cylinder 32 and,through ports 54 with the interior of the female coupling components 42.

[0042] Further, the adapter 34 includes a post 56 that is removablyreceived within a post hole (not shown) in the casing 36 to mount theadapter 34 to the motor drive unit 24. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 show that theexterior sidewall 46A of the cap portion 46 includes a flange 51. Theflange 51 slides into an enlarged slot (also not shown) when the post 56is inserted in the post hole and the adapter 34 rotated into place (in asimilar manner as described in the '899 patent). Other means formounting the adapter to the casing can be readily employed, of course.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, adapter 34 generally includesfemale coupling components 42. The female coupling components 42 aresized and shaped to snugly receive mating male coupling components 50(discussed in further detail below and shown in FIGS. 8-13), which areremovably or fixedly attached to the ends of the tubes 44. Thisarrangement serves to provide an easily manipulated secure connection ofthe tubes 44 to the ports 54 in the female coupling components 42. Forbrevity, discussion will center on a single female coupling component42, but it is understood that the coupling components 42 containidentical elements.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 5-8, the female coupling component42 includes an upper surface 68, a lower surface 70, a bottom surface72, and a rim surface 74. The upper surface 68 is sized and shaped todefine an upper well 66 therein (FIG. 5). The lower surface 70 is sizedand shaped to define a lower well 67 therein (FIG. 5). The lower surface70 has a port 54 therein, through which air, or any fluid, can pass fromthe lower well 67 to the vacuum chamber 52, or vice versa. A channel 76is formed in the lower surface 70 and is in communication with the port54.

[0045] The upper well 66 has a diameter D1. The lower well 67 has adiameter D2. Diameter D1 is greater than diameter D2. The upper well 66is connected to the lower well 67 by the rim surface 74. The channel 76extends from an opening 78 in the rim surface 74 to the bottom surface72 and is open to the lower well 67 at one or more points along thelower surface 70.

[0046]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate overhead detailed schematics of twoembodiments of a female coupling component 42. The bottom surface 72 ofthe lower well 67 has at least one radially extending groove 80 formedtherein. The groove 80 is in fluid communication with the channel 76formed in the lower surface 70 and is open to the lower well 67 at oneor more points along the bottom surface 72.

[0047] The upper well 66 is sized and shaped to receive and therebyprovide a snug fit with the male coupling component 50. As depicted inone embodiment, the upper well 66 comprises a generally polygonal orslightly rounded triangular shape. It is understood however, that theupper well 66 can be of any shape provided it is sized to match asealing portion 88 of a male coupling component 50 as will be describedin further detail hereinafter.

[0048] Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, adapter 34 also includes astopper mount 58A, 58B and a stopper rest 60. Additionally, the stoppermount 58A further includes an aperture surface 62A, 62B that defines anaperture 64. As shown in FIG. 3A, the aperture surface 62A may extendoutward from the adapter 34 such that stopper mount 58A is sized andshaped as an elevated cylinder. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B,aperture surface 62B may extend inward into the adapter 34 such thatstopper mount 58B is a well within the adapter 34. In accordance withone embodiment of the present invention, stopper mount 58A, 58B receivesa mounting end 98A, 98B of stopper 96A, 96B (see FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and14D) thereon, to mount the stopper 96A, 96B on the adapter 34.

[0049] The stopper 96A, 96B is shown generally in FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14Cand 14D. Plug 100A, IOOB of stopper 96A, 96B may be placed, when not inuse as a stopper, in the stopper rest 60. Preferably, stopper 96A, 96Bis used to “cut off” one of multiple female coupling components 42 inthe event that the user wishes to only utilize one of the milking units22. Additionally, stopper 96A, 96B may include gripping ridges 102 on atop surface 101 as depicted in FIG. 14C. Further, when employed insingle pumping, wherein the plug 100B is fitted to one of the femaleparts 42, a predetermined amount of leakage may be provided by orifice104 (FIG. 14C) or in the alternate, an outer aperture or groove 106(FIG. 14D). It will be understood that the orifice 104, or in thealternate groove or aperture 106, functions to permit fluid (air)venting between atmosphere and the interior of the female portion 42. Inaddition as discussed in more detail herein, plug 100B may be anysuitable complementary shape with wall 68, and is preferably thedepicted polygonal shape including gently convex outer walls.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, stopper rest 60 is similar in shape and size,to the wall 68 of upper well 66. The purpose for this is that the plug100A, 100B of the stopper 96A, 96B is shaped similarly to a sealingportion 88 (see FIG. 8) to snugly fit into the stopper rest 60 (when notis use), and the upper well 66 of the female coupling component 42 (whenin use).

[0051] As discussed earlier, tubes 44 are attached to male couplingcomponents 50, which in turn may be inserted into corresponding femalecoupling components 42. This arrangement serves to provide an easilymanipulatable and secure connection of tubes 44, via male couplingcomponents 50, to adapter 34.

[0052] FIGS. 8-9 illustrate various perspectives of one embodiment of amale coupling component 50. As shown in detail in FIG. 8, male couplingcomponent 50 is shown with a first end 82 to which a tube 44 isattached, and a second end 84. A passageway 86 extends through the malecoupling component 50 between the first end 82 and the second end 84 forconveying the fluid pressure. Additionally, the connector 50 includes aradially outwardly extending sealing portion 88 formed on the malecoupling component 50 between the first end 82 and the second end 84 andspaced from the second end 84. As shown in FIG. 8, the sealing portion88 can be of a generally polygonal or slightly rounded triangular shape.It is understood, however, that the sealing portion 88 can be of anyshape, so long as it matches the shape of the upper well 66 of thefemale coupling component 42. The sealing portion 88 also has a sealingsurface 90 that includes at least one circumferential sealing ring 92thereon, which engages the upper surface 68 of the upper well 66 to forma substantially airtight seal such that ambient air is prevented fromentering the female coupling component 42. The upper surface 68 mayinclude at least one circumferential groove (not shown) therein thatengages with the circumferential sealing ring 92 to form thesubstantially airtight seal.

[0053] FIGS. 10-11 illustrate various perspectives of another embodimentof a male coupling component 150. As shown in detail in FIG. 10, malecoupling component 150 is shown with a first end 182 to which a vacuumtube 44 is attached, and a second end 184. A gripping portion 194surrounds the first end 182. FIGS. 10 & 11 show that the grippingportion 194 has a slightly concaved exterior surface 196 and acylindrical interior surface 198 with a diameter D3 greater thandiameter D4 of the first end 182 such that a tube 44 can be attached tothe first end 182, yet snugly received within the interior surface 198of the gripping portion 194. A passageway 186 extends through the malecoupling component 150 between the first end 182 and the second end 184for conveying the fluid pressure. Additionally, the male couplingcomponent 150 includes a radially outwardly extending sealing portion188 formed on the male coupling component 150 between the first end 182and the second end 184, spaced from the second end 184. The sealingportion 188 can be of any shape so long as it is sized and shaped tomatch the size and shape of the upper well 66 of the female couplingcomponent 42, but is depicted as having a generally polygonal orslightly rounded triangular shape. The sealing portion 188 has a sealingsurface 190 that includes at least one circumferential sealing ring 192thereon, which engages the upper surface 68 of the upper well 66 to forma substantially airtight seal such that ambient air is prevented fromentering the female coupling component 42. The upper surface 68 mayinclude at least one circumferential groove (not shown) therein thatengages with the circumferential sealing ring 192 to form thesubstantially airtight seal.

[0054] FIGS. 12-13 illustrate various perspectives of yet anotherembodiment of a male coupling component 250. As shown in detail in FIG.12, male coupling component 250 is shown with a first end 282 to which atube 44 is attached, and a second end 284. A passageway 286 extendsthrough the male coupling component 250 between the first end 282 andthe second end 284 for conveying the fluid pressure. Additionally, theconnector 250 includes a radially outwardly extending sealing portion288 formed on the male coupling component 250 between the first end 282and the second end 284, spaced from the second end 284. The sealingportion 288 can be of any shape, so long as it is sized and shaped tomatch the size and shape of the upper well 66 of the female couplingcomponent 42, but is depicted as having a generally circular shape. Thesealing portion 288 has a sealing surface 290 that engages the uppersurface 68 of the upper well 66 to form a substantially airtight sealsuch that ambient air is prevented from entering the coupling component42.

[0055] As a result of the unique design of the male coupling components50 and the female coupling components 42, described above, the presentinvention provides for a unique fit between the male coupling components50 and the female coupling components 42. This unique design assuresthat only this coupling component and connector will be successfullymated, thereby assuring that only properly matched equipment will beused.

[0056] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described above areto be considered in all respects only illustrative and not restrictive.The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims ratherthan by the foregoing description. All changes that come within themeaning and range of equivalents are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter for connecting a vacuum source to abreast shield with tubing comprising: a housing attachable to the vacuumsource including an internal chamber in communication with the vacuumsource; one or more female coupling component, each of said one or morefemale coupling component defined by an interior sidewall surface ofsaid housing, said interior sidewall surface including an upper portionwith a first sidewall diameter and a lower portion with a secondsidewall diameter, and a rim portion between said upper portion and saidlower portion connecting said upper portion and said lower portion, saidsecond sidewall diameter being less than said first sidewall diameter,said lower portion including one or more ports formed therein allowingcommunication of said one or more female coupling component with saidinternal chamber, and one or more channels formed therein communicatingwith an opening in said rim portion; one or more male couplingcomponent, each of said one or more male coupling component including afirst end, a second end, and a passageway extending between said firstend and said second end, said first end being sized and shaped to beattached to the tubing, said second end being sized and shaped to bereceived in one of said one or more female coupling component and havinga first end diameter, each of said one or more male coupling componentfurther including a sealing portion between said first end and saidsecond end, said sealing portion having a sealing surface formed about aperiphery thereof, said sealing portion having a second end diameter,said second end diameter being greater than said first end diameter,said sealing portion being sized and shaped to be received in said upperportion of said female coupling component such that said connectorsealing surface is in a substantially airtight engagement with saidinterior sidewall surface; and a stopper, said stopper being sized andshaped to sealably engage said upper portion of either of said one ormore female coupling component, said stopper including an orifice formedtherethrough such that when said stopper is engaged with one of said oneor more female coupling component a flow of air is permitted to passtherethrough between ambient atmosphere and said one of said one or morefemale coupling component, an amount of said flow being less relative toan unstoppered female coupling component.